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Oxidative Stress

The effect of melatonin on the liver of rats exposed to microwave radiation.

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Djordjevic B, Sokolovic D, Kocic G, Veljkovic A, Despotovic M, Basic J, Jevtovic-Stoimenov T, Sokolovic DM. · 2015

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Microwave radiation at cell phone frequencies caused measurable liver damage in rats after weeks of exposure, partially preventable with antioxidants.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Serbian researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz microwave radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for 4 hours daily over 20-60 days and found significant liver damage, including increased oxidative stress and cellular damage markers. When rats were also given melatonin supplements, the treatment partially protected against some of the radiation-induced liver damage. This suggests that microwave radiation can harm liver function, but natural antioxidants like melatonin may offer some protection.

Why This Matters

This study adds to mounting evidence that radiofrequency radiation causes oxidative stress in organs throughout the body, not just the brain where phones are typically held. The 900 MHz frequency used matches GSM cell phone signals, and the 4-hour daily exposure isn't unrealistic given how many hours people spend near wireless devices. What makes this research particularly valuable is the time-dependent analysis showing damage accumulates over weeks of exposure. The fact that melatonin provided partial protection reinforces that oxidative stress is a key mechanism of RF harm. While you shouldn't rely on supplements as a primary protection strategy, this research suggests that supporting your body's natural antioxidant systems may help mitigate some EMF damage. The liver findings are especially concerning because this organ is crucial for detoxification, and impaired liver function could compound other health effects from chronic EMF exposure.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.1 - 0.3 mG
Electric Field
54-160 V/m
Source/Device
900 MHz
Exposure Duration
4h a day, for 20, 40 and 60 days

Exposure Context

This study used 0.1 - 0.3 mG for magnetic fields:

This study used 54-160 V/m for electric fields:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.1 - 0.3 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 20,000x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

We aimed to clarify if melatonin treatment (2 mg/kg i.p.) may favorably impact the liver tissue in rats exposed to microwave radiation. The experiment was performed on 84 six-weeks-old Wistar male rats exposed for 4h a day, for 20, 40 and 60 days, respectively, to microwaves (900 MHz, 100-300 microT, 54-160 V/m). Rats were divided in to four groups: I (control) - rats treated with saline, II (Mel) - rats treated with melatonin, III (MWs) - microwave exposed rats, IV (MWs + Mel) - MWs exposed rats treated with melatonin. We evaluated oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde and carbonyl group content), catalase, xanthine oxidase, deoxyribonuclease I and II activity.

Exposure to microwaves caused an increase in malondialdehyde after 40 (p < 0.01), protein carbonyl c...

Melatonin exerts certain antioxidant effects in the liver of rats exposed to microwaves, by diminishing the intensity of lipid peroxidation(Fig. 6, Ref. 32).

Cite This Study
Djordjevic B, Sokolovic D, Kocic G, Veljkovic A, Despotovic M, Basic J, Jevtovic-Stoimenov T, Sokolovic DM. (2015). The effect of melatonin on the liver of rats exposed to microwave radiation. Bratisl Lek Listy. 116(2):96-100, 2015.
Show BibTeX
@article{b_2015_the_effect_of_melatonin_952,
  author = {Djordjevic B and Sokolovic D and Kocic G and Veljkovic A and Despotovic M and Basic J and Jevtovic-Stoimenov T and Sokolovic DM.},
  title = {The effect of melatonin on the liver of rats exposed to microwave radiation.},
  year = {2015},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25665474/},
}
PubMed: 25665474

Cited By (14 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, Serbian researchers found that 900 MHz microwave radiation caused significant liver damage in rats after 40 days of 4-hour daily exposure. The study documented increased oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl content, indicating cellular damage to liver tissue from cell phone frequency radiation.
Melatonin provides partial protection against microwave radiation liver damage. In this 2015 study, melatonin supplementation significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels (a key oxidative stress marker) in rats exposed to 900 MHz radiation for 40 days, though it didn't affect other damage parameters.
Liver oxidative stress from 900 MHz radiation begins within 20 days of exposure. Researchers found increased protein carbonyl content after just 20 days of 4-hour daily exposure, with malondialdehyde and enzyme activity changes appearing after 40 days in exposed rats.
Daily microwave radiation exposure increases catalase and xanthine oxidase enzyme activity in the liver. After 40 days of 900 MHz radiation exposure for 4 hours daily, both enzymes showed significant increases, indicating the liver's struggle to cope with radiation-induced oxidative stress.
Yes, cell phone frequency radiation can cause DNA-related damage in the liver. After 60 days of 900 MHz exposure, researchers observed increased deoxyribonuclease I activity, an enzyme involved in DNA breakdown, suggesting potential DNA damage from prolonged microwave radiation exposure.